WASP to receive top civilian honor

Legislation honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), who flew more than 60,000,000 miles from 1942 to 1944 on every type of assignment but air combat, has passed both houses of Congress, the online newsletter AVweb reported on June 22.

The Hutchison-Mikulski Bill passed the House on June 16, sponsored by 334 representatives. It had passed the Senate in May, co-sponsored by 75 senators. Upon the signature of President Barack Obama, the bill will award the women with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service, according to AVweb. The medal, awarded by Congress, is the highest honor a civilian may receive, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and is bestowed for exceptional acts of service to the United States. Congressional Gold Medals will be awarded to all 1,102 pilots or, in their stead, surviving family.